From covering controversial topics to understanding article intelligence, student journalists from all across New Jersey gathered for an array of important discussions at the 2023 Garden State Scholastic Press Association (GSSPA) Fall Press Day on Oct. 30.
The GSSPA is a nonprofit organization advocating for the rights of student journalists in N.J. Each year, they host conferences around the state where students can attend panels led by professionals to learn more about journalism and receive awards for their school publications.
At this year’s conference hosted at Rutgers University, The Inkblot received First place in Overall Print Excellence and an honorable mention for Online Excellence in addition to several individual awards for the 2022-2023 school year. Inkblot advisor and GSSPA Vice President Wayne Woolley brought along the publications’s editors-in-chief, managing editor, assistant Graphics Editor and three additional sophomores to receive the awards.
Students were able to attend a variety of panels including “Covering Controversial Stories” by GSSPA President Tim McHale and “Where does AI fit in a journalist’s toolbox?” by Woolley.
Sophomore and assistant Graphics Editor Stacy Lin of Manalapan was experiencing this conference for the first time and hopes to use the skills she learned from these panels in her future writing.
“Both presentations were equally helpful, as they both provided tips on the topics,” Lin said. “But the AI presentation brought a unique insight into how it can affect journalism in the future.”
In addition to sophomores, senior members of The Inkblot were also in attendance. This was the second Fall Press Day for Editors-in-Chief Lily Howard of Shrewsbury and Mackenzie Prince of Union Beach.
“This GSSPA was a lot similar to last year’s in how the conferences and awards were set up. But for me personally, it was really cool experiencing the conference as an Editor-in-Chief rather than a journalist,” Prince said. “I was able to further appreciate the other talented newspapers that were present, as well as the amazing award The Inkblot received!”
This year, Howard participated in the annual GSSPA Write-off, a competition held each year where they have a timed writing piece for attendees to finish.
“I think the write-off is definitely a good learning experience for writing quickly and gathering information from a live event,” Howard said. “It’s not a replacement for real-life journalism experience, but it presents a similar situation where you’re pressed for time!”
Other awards received by Inkblot contributors were first place in Review Writing for Charlie Raynor; first place in Sports Writing and second place in Photo Gallery for Henry Frieman; second place in In-Depth Writing for Dara Fisher and Adina Saks; second place in Artwork/Illustration by Toby Gui; third place in Editorial Writing for Zaina Saif and Lilian Chen and an Honorable Mention in Sports Writing for Dara Fisher and Emma Makin.
Sophomore Toby Gui of Manalapan was the only contributor who wasn’t on the edit board to receive a GSSPA award, something Woolley hopes will happen more often in the future.
“One thing we should probably be doing is entering more entries into each category,” Woolley said. “So that’s something the [Editors-in-Chief] are going to talk about this year so that way we have more opportunities to win more awards.”
Regardless of the amount of awards that The Inkblot receives from the conference, the GSSPA conference serves as a benefit to the newspaper’s contributors. It allows the younger members to gain journalism skills and form bonds with one another, as described by Managing Editor and senior Jordan Juliano of Long Branch.
“All seven of us attending the conference helps build relationships within the club and fosters a strong community,” Juliano said. “Lily, Mackenzie, and I hoped that this conference would spark a new wave of journalists at CHS and we think that was accomplished.”
